U mad, bro?: Steelers free agency, Pitt coverage, Tristan Jarry, Pens roster decisions put the ‘mad’ in ‘March Madness’
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March Madness is upon us, but Pittsburgh sports fans don’t seem that mad about Pitt. They’re mainly mad about the Steelers, the Penguins and my coverage of both teams.
OK, and a little mad about Pitt too.
Here’s this week’s “U mad, bro?”
Tim sent me an email after Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry was pulled against the Montreal Canadiens.
“Ewwww goaltending. ‘The Ides of March’ are dark for the Pens.”
“Ewwww?” Is that a pun? As in “ewe”? As in March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion?
If so, the Penguins better hope that last part rings true for Jarry. A save percentage of .832 so far this month? A goals against average of 4.73?
Those are definitely numbers from a sheared little lamb. Can Casey DeSmith be the lion? I doubt it. But until Jarry finds his game, the Penguins may have to rely on DeSmith
Speaking of Jarry, here’s a tweet from “JayBird.”
Time to start thinking about a new goalie for 23-24.
— JayBird (@ChrisPBacon089) March 10, 2023
Start?
Clint sent me this tweet about Jason Zucker.
His 4 year 30 million next year will be a bargain.
— Clint Jones (@ClintLJones) March 10, 2023
Indeed, Clint. But why spend $7.5 million on a good player like Zucker when you can spend $5 million a year on a mediocre player like Mikael Granlund?
After the Steelers signed Washington Commanders linebacker Cole Holcomb, Mark took that opportunity to wag his finger at me about my column suggesting the Steelers had been slow to sign quality inside linebackers at bargain prices.
“A little — how do they say — premature with your article on not addressing a glaring need? No need to rush things.”
Completely disagree, Mark. The point stands.
There were more good players at reasonable terms at inside linebacker than anywhere else on the market. The Steelers addressed other positions (like guard) before linebacker, even though I think ILB had been a bigger deficiency. I also think they got a second (maybe third) tier guy in Holcomb when better players had been available and went elsewhere.
Furthermore, if they went after Leighton Vander Esch (which the NFL Network reported they did) then obviously Holcomb wasn’t their top choice, was he?
Not only that, but right in the column, I wrote: “I’m not going to get Steelers in trouble for something they haven’t done yet. It’s not as if the team is definitely entering the draft with ILB still a gaping hole on their roster. A move can still be made. But quality players at the position are going elsewhere at manageable cap figures and that’s puzzling to me.”
So how is that “premature,” exactly?
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• 5 things to know about Pitt vs. Iowa State in the NCAA Tournament
• With no offers, 4 Steelers become unrestricted free agents — including Steven Sims, James Pierre
Alec heard me Wednesday morning on WDVE. I began my 7:30 a.m. sportscast with Steelers free agency news. You know, the signings of Larry Ogunjobi, Nate Herbig and Demontae Kazee. Allowing Robert Spillane to walk. Trying to sign Vander Esch.
Alec didn’t like that. He wanted me to open with Pitt’s First Four win over Mississippi State in Dayton instead.
I’m listening to you on WDVE right now – do we really care that much about the Steelers you need to lead with off season news the day after Pitt won their play in game for their first March Madness win in recent memory? Just curious what the editorial thought was there?
— Alec Italiano (@alecitaliano) March 15, 2023
1. I had four sportscasts. I rotated them and used Pitt before the Steelers in another one. I also used the Penguins’ loss to Montreal first at least once.
2. WDVE is the flagship station of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
3. Yes, more people care about the Steelers than the Pitt basketball team. Pitt might make the Final Four and the Steelers may sign a backup punter on the same day. If that happens, there may be more people in Pittsburgh that care about the backup punter.
4. The only event that comes close to rivaling my affection for the NFL is March Madness. It’s not like I’m going to ignore college basketball when I have a chance to promote it.
So you can question my “editorial thought” all you want. But I’ve never met an editor in Pittsburgh who said, “You know what? Less Steelers and more Pitt basketball is a good idea.”
You can blame the media for that. Or you can blame the listeners/readers for what they listen to/read.
I’d argue that blaming either is a useless endeavor. But you go right ahead.
Now, as you read this last tweet, just understand that it was sent in the short period of time between when Cam Sutton left for Detroit and the Steelers signed Patrick Peterson.
Regardless, it shouldn’t dull the humor. It doesn’t for me.
@MarkMaddenX @TimBenzPGH I guarantee Tomlin let Sutton go on purpose, to give him a reason and credibility to draft Joey Porter Jr.
— Justin Belback (@AKAFloyd) March 13, 2023
Tomlin didn’t need to let Sutton walk to create a need at cornerback. Sutton could’ve stayed and there still would’ve been a need to draft another one. Yes, even another corner in the first round.
That’s still true now, even though they signed Peterson.
But, Justin, no one appreciates a good conspiracy theory more than me. No one.
And this is elite, second level stuff by you. Keep it up. Send more in the future.